The deafening crack echoed through every layer of the Eternal Archive.
It was not merely a sound.
It was a declaration.
One of the ancient chains had broken.
The entire realm trembled violently as waves of golden energy surged through the void. Countless runes flashed before dimming, while veins of black corruption spread across the fractured chain like poison through living flesh.
John steadied himself as the illusion around him completely shattered.
The peaceful valley disappeared.
The burning forest vanished.
The image of his younger self dissolved into countless motes of golden light.
He found himself standing once again upon the circular platform suspended over the abyss.
The First Warden stood before him exactly as before, clad in radiant crystal armor.
Only moments seemed to have passed.
Yet John felt as though he had relived years.
---
Not far away, Aerion slowly opened his eyes.
His normally calm expression was unusually tense.
